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Led by their captain Shashikala Siriwardene, Sri Lankan Women kept the Twenty20 International series against South Africa Women alive by winning the second match in Potchefstroom.

Siriwardene was one of four Sri Lankan batters to make useful contributions to a testing total of 138 for five. She then took the key wickets of Mignon du Preez and Marizanne Kapp as the Proteas fell comfortably short, ending on 118 for eight.

The hosts had won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat, and it was they who had the better of the opening exchanges. Openers Chamari Atapattu and Lasanthi Madushani added 71 in eight overs before Atapattu was bowled by Kapp for 39 off only 23 balls. Madushani then fell to Sunette Loubser the very next over for 30, but Siriwardene and Yasoda Mendis took the total well past 100.

They shared 51 in 49 balls for the third-wicket to help set South Africa a tricky target if they were to win the series ahead of Monday’s final match. Siriwardene gave Kapp the second of her three wickets when on 30, with Mendis falling to the final ball of the innings.

South Africa got off to a promising start in their run chase despite losing Trisha Chetty in Maduri Sammudika’s first over. Impressive young opener Lizelle Lee hit four boundaries during her knock of 23 off 22 balls and shared 34 with her captain Mignon du Preez (21 off 17 balls).

They and Kapp, though, all fell in relatively quick succession as Sri Lanka took the upper hand, thanks in no small part to the consistent Siriwardene, who finished with two for 16 from her four overs.

Dane van Niekerk did her best to keep the home side in the hunt, but it was to no avail as required run rate began to climb and South Africa began to lose wickets. Sammudika added the scalp of Suné Luus to that of Chetty to end with two for 21, while Sripali Weerakkody (1-17) and Chamani Seneviratna (1-16) were the other wicket-takers.